Thursday 18 June 2009

Blaise Castle

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



Blaise Castle is a lovely place to visit. There are adventure playgrounds for children from toddler age up until thirteen. There is a large open space of grass to play on with woods behind.
A museum stands to one side of the grass and a cafe is close by, everything that you could wish for to provide a good day out for children.

This is the lane that goes through the woods to eventually reveal another grassy area.



At the top of the grassy place is a castle with a little door, that is locked. You will see that this castle was built in 1766 and restored in 1982, so it is very old. However the castle was built on an iron age site, so there was always some sort of building and activity in this area.



Here is the castle in all it's glory. What a marvellous sight. For anyone who doesn't know it is there, it must be a magical moment when coming out of the woods and seeing that unexpected surprise. It is easy to imagine the people that might have lived in a place like this, in days long gone.



However, I don't think that this castle was ever used as a habitat or used as a fortress, but more as an ornamental building, to enhance the beauty of the surroundings. It certainly is in a very lovely place.


You can see the top of the blue door that I showed earlier, at the bottom of this picture.

I went for the day earlier in this year, with my son and daughter and all the grandchildren and there was something for all of them to do. While they were in the adventure playground we adults could read a book or do a puzzle or just people watch. The children didn't like the thought of walking, but once they got started, they really enjoyed it. A brilliant day out.


Photostory Friday is hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek. Why not give them a visit?

28 comments:

Sarah Lulu said...

Just like out of a fairytale.

Rosaria Williams said...

A crusade castle! What a beautiful story and pictures.

Chris said...

What a cool castle!

The closest thing we have in the American southwest are ancient indian dwellings.

Wendy said...

Wowie! How enchanting! You in the U.K. have so much fascinating history - and castles to visit. Sounds like you had a great outing with the family.

Unknown said...

Wow! it is a lovely beautiful castle. You have a good shot too. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story and pics.

Unknown said...

What beautiful photos!

Suburbia said...

Apparently the owner of Blaise House (can't remember his name) was very rich and built the castle to entertain (it had kitchens) but also so that, from the top, he could see his ships come up the Bristol channel to the docks!

Funny to read this here, it's practically in my back garden and we walk there often!!

Maggie May said...

Suburbia...... That is funny! Wonder if we have sat next to each other? Or walked past each other?
You are lucky to live near such a lovely place!

Mickle in NZ said...

What a glorious place with so much to see and do. A place to build happy memories for all the family too.

Hope you have a lovely weekend,

Mickle and Zebbycat - purring not snorng!

Working Mum said...

Now that looks like a fairytale castle! Those special days out are worth treasuring. Funnily enough, I was thinking recently that my most enjoyable moments from childhood were not about getting 'stuff' but the family days out.

Pam Emmons said...

This is making me excited for my move to Germany!

Anonymous said...

Looks as if it were built for Snow White. Lovely! We are so lucky to have such an abundance of history still standing. Was it built as a Folly do you think?

Nessa said...

I love castles. Even ornamental ones.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Sounds a lovely day out Maggie and it is a pretty castle - straight out of a story book. A x

Jeni said...

That lane in the first picture looks very much like the road down the street from my house -which leads folks down to the little ghost town of Peale, PA. However, there sure is no castle at the end of that road as all that is left of that place is one house -now a hunting camp -and a cemetery with only one gravestone still left standing there. Loved this tour with you though -very pretty, very interesting too I would think to see a bonafide castle like that.

kayerj said...

It is beautiful--did you get to go inside? Here’s my photo story. happy Friday!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Fabulous!! It really is a beautiful building and the whole area sounds like fun! HAppy Friday!

Akelamalu said...

It looks just like a fariytale castle! :0

Hilary said...

Walking through those woods must be like walking back in time. What an incredible structure. I think I'd find it very difficult to leave there. Thank you so much for sharing this. :)

SandyCarlson said...

That looks like an awesome place! Maggie, thanks for taking us there.

Irene said...

What a magical place to be, Maggie. It sounds like that would be a very nice place to visit and take photographs off as you clearly show. It looks like a Disneyland castle for Snow White.

I like going for walks in the woods and along grassy fields. Especially in the springtime when everything is popping up and blooming. I wish you and I could take such a walk together and rest on a bench.

Hugs!

Valerie said...

Your pictures of Blaise Castle made me feel like exploring. Lovely.

Anonymous said...

I want to live in a castle. Someday my prince will ride up on his white horse, and that is exactly what our house will look like, lol. Seriously, beautiful photos,it looks like it is right out of a story book.
Have a wonderful weekend.
XXXX

Grit said...

Definitely on our hit list now, thank you! Bodium castle is similarly fairytale, with turrets and moat and all.

Suburbia said...

I walked with the children to Blaise today. Couldn't help wondering if you were there too !

Rose said...

Maggie May, I'm always envious of all the beautiful sights around where you live. My grandkids would love exploring an old castle like this.

Unknown said...

Oh Maggie. It is just beautiful!!! May be the prettiest castle I've ever seen a picture of, because, you know, I've actually SEEN a real castle.

cheshire wife said...

It is such a pretty castle. I could almost see Rapunzel at the window.